Benjamin Hoyt

Resident from 1713 to 1759

Benjamin Hoyt became the fifth owner of the Keeler Tavern, also known as Lott II. He was left an orphan at the end of the 1704 French and Indian massacre in Deerfield, Massachusetts. He escaped the fate of his family, who were captured and sent to Canada, by jumping out of a window and hiding in a corn crib.

Benjamin made the journey from Deerfield to Norwalk, Connecticut and lived with relatives. Eventually, he moved to Ridgefield in 1713 when in his early 20’s and began building the foundations of Lott II. The building was originally a one room dwelling with a stone fireplace complete with a beehive oven, and no basement. After several years, he expanded the property by building around and above the structure, which still exists today. He also included a “wilderness door” that would serve to protect against any surprise attacks by Indians.

Benjamin and his wife, Sarah, raised their six children in the home. Their oldest daughter, Mary, would marry Timothy Keeler, after whom the property is named.

At the time of Benjamin’s death in 1759, Lott II was a substantial and impressive farmstead. The property was inherited by his son, David, who opted to sell it to his nephew, Timothy Keeler.

» Next: Timothy Keeler